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Tactile colour is an easy system of twelve standardized textures representing twelve colours. The system is both intuitive and logical. Each texture is distinctive and has a bold colour. The textures reflect the colour spectrum, the texture for orange has a surface feel between those of red and yellow. Green is a mixture of the feel of yellow and blue and so on. The contrasting colours like red and green and black and white are represented by contrasting textures. Tactile Colour is screen printed on sheets of self-adhesive vinyl. It is also printed in several coloured textures to make maps, cards and images. Tactile Colour will soon be available in durable materials for use outside and in public places. 

WHAT’S AVAILABLE IN TACTILE COLOUR?

Self-adhesive vinyl sheets in 12 Colours
Colour identification cards with raised print and Braille
Greeting cards
Shaped identification stickers
Jigsaw puzzles
Maps to order
Memory cards
Colours: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, pink, brown, tan, white, grey and black.

ADVANTAGES

Educational aid for the integrated classroom.
Inspiration for creativity in people with different artistic and visual abilities.
Immense potential for linguistic, cognitive, psychological, and vision studies.
Medium for cartographers and architects to make buildings and maps more accessible.
Augmentative communication aid for people who are blind and do not speak.
Blends colour and texture as an introduction to the use of touch for people who may lose more sight.
Encourages the use of touch for sighted people.

Tactile Colour is designed inclusively to be accessible to nearly every human being. It enables people to identify colours and interpret information by touch.

APPLICATIONS

Individuals use the sheet vinyl to make pictures, maps, labeling systems and games.
People communicate visual ideas in a tactile and a visual  format for greater integration.
Mobility maps are printed for specific locations and used in conjunction with markers and audio information for way finding systems.
Information normally displayed in colour is identified and accessed by touch.
People with visual impairments work independently or with others.
Blind and sighted children play together.

USING TACTILE COLOUR

Stored Tactile Colour face down in the bag in a cool place.
Tactile Colour can be cut with scissors, a craft knife or a scalpel. More detail can be achieved with a knife, but you can also produce good results with a pair of scissors.
To cut perfect straight lines in Tactile Colour, use a metal ruler and a craft knife or scalpel.
Encourage blind students to learn to use tools safely. A blunt blade is more dangerous than a sharp one. Develop a habit of always putting the cap back on the knife. Very sharp points on scissors are not advisable. Choose a pair of scissors that is the right size for the hand using them, making sure they have a good cut and slightly rounded points.
Templates can be used to cut shapes in Tactile Colour. A photocopy can be cut as a template, for a map or picture, and another one on which to stick the Tactile Colour. Card templates can be used with blind students for more independent work.
Stick templates to Tactile Colour using masking tape. Templates can be stuck on the textured side or stuck upside down on the back and cut around. Images can also be traced onto the back of Tactile Colour.
When sticking Tactile Colour down it makes it easier if you peel back just one corner of the backing sheet and fold it over. This allows you to move the piece of Tactile Colour until it is in the correct position. When it is positioned, you can press down on the corner from which the backing sheet has been removed. While still applying pressure to this corner, you can reach underneath and slowly pull away the backing sheet. As you pull the backing sheet away, simultaneously adhere the Tactile Colour. This method makes it easier to position and avoids the likelihood of air bubbles or wrinkles.
Always stick Tactile Colour to a smooth surface. Bond paper, Braille paper, thin card, matt or gloss laminate, self-adhesive vinyl, Styrene, and most other plastics work well. Adhesion may not be permanent on self-adhesive vinyl. Although it adheres well to paper and card.
Tactile Colour does not stick well to itself or other rough surfaces. It appears to be OK initially but will soon come apart. If you have to stick it on top of a rough surface use glue and weigh it down. If you are willing to use super-quick glue, it works best though not recommended for use by blind people.
An even gap between textures is generally recommended, as it is beneficial for tactile definition. If you do need to place one Tactile Colour next to another, it is better if the pieces match. You can achieve this by overlapping sheets of Tactile Colour and cutting through both of them at the same time so there will be no overlap or gap.
A raised image may be beneficial for people who gain their information through touch. First sticking the sheets of Tactile Colour to card or Styrene and then putting industrial double-sided tape on the back to adhere to another surface. Cut through all three layers at once. If you are using a thick Styrene it may be better to cover each piece with Tactile Colour after it is cut and trim the excess off with a knife.
It is recommended to place your finished work under some weight, as this improves the adhesion.

ABOUT US

Tactile Colour Communication has worked extensively in education, home visits and accessibility evaluation. We are dedicated to assisting people to share information, learn, and have fun. We see the potential for expanding into the field of multi-sensory communication by bringing sight and touch together.Tactile Colour Communication holds workshops on how to use Tactile Colour practically and creatively. We advise individuals and groups regarding visual impairment, explain about tactile graphics and assist with making information and places more accessible.
Transit systems and public places and services have sponsored prototype maps and plans.
 

TACTILE COLOUR COMMUNICATION SOCIETY

is a registered charity with Revenue Canada. We have a sister organisation in the UK and work on a local, national, and international level. Most of our work has been for people with visual impairments, but we have recently begun to expand into the field of augmentative communication aids for people with multiple disabilities.

The objectives of Tactile Colour Communication Society are research, education, communication, access to information, mobility, creativity, and recreation for the purpose of independence and integration.  The charity has a belief that advancements designed for people with disabilities can benefit everyone.

Tactile Colour was initiated by Lois Lawrie, a printer and graphic artist, who, having lost her sight, envisioned Tactile Colour in 1991 as a medium for artists.

Orders, donations, fundraising ideas, voluntary assistance, and feedback are always welcome.

Registered Charity Number:
86882 0242 RR0001

Non-profit Society in BC Incorporation Number: S-0028616

Contact information:

Tactile Colour Communication
402-2136 Ridge Road
Victoria, BC, V8T 3E9, Canada
Phone: 1-250-480-1610 or 1-888-600-1931
Email: info@tactile.org
On the Web: www.tactile.org
 

Information about Tactile Colour
Projects: Mapping, Art Exhibits, Augmentative Communication
Product Information
Request Tactile Samples and Price List
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